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Elections Again|Local Government Election date is July 26

Shrewd, cunning, crafty or simply an instinctive and 'take that back' response from Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar after ex PM Patrick Manning called the mother of all surprises that resulted in the general elections of 2010. Now we have 'Part Deux' - Local Government Elections on July 26, 2010. It should be noted here that local government elections have been postponed since 2003 by the previous government (Peoples National Movement). The last local government election was in 2003. It was then postponed in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 as noted in the Trinidad Express newspaper.

Well in my opinion this unexpected new election date that was expected some time in September is one that should end up in a washing away of the remnants of red that spoilt the general election map that glowed yellow on the night of May 24th, 2010.

This is a smart move and with the PNM in disarray they have just under one month to get their act together and have some impact on local government. If they fail then the People's partnership will dominater for years to come and this is not a bad thing at all. However, in any democratic society a vibrant and workable opposition is a requirement to good governance.

Cashew Gardens Longendenville|Land Grab Homes Demolished

As painful as the video was to look at (use link above to see video) and as distressing as the situation was one has to understand that no government can permit its citizens to simply move into state lands and set up shop/build a home without getting the requisite permission to build. 

These 'homes' that were demolished were part of the recent land grab that took place after the People's Partnership took office. The same situation existed when the NAR won in 1986. These 'victims' broke the law and I am certain that they were quite aware of this fact. 

The unfortunate thing is the distress that results from the actions of these citizens. Obviously the armed personnel were very compassionate in carrying out their orders as instructed by those responsible for the land. 

In the end we must not turn a blind eye to this phenomenon - squatting on state lands is illegal. The land grab that took place is illegal. These people broke the law!

We need to take care of our citizens but at the same time our citizens must also respect the laws of the land. This government will attempt to right the ship but at the same time we need to be cognizant that the State cannot provide homes for all the citizens.  

My heart goes out to the lady in this video and I am certain that she may be the recipient of some form of help from other citizens of the country. In the end let it be said here that the government did the right thing by demolishing these 'homes'.  We need to be humane but the laws of the land need to be upheld and respected by all.
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